Good morning,
We wanted to provide you with an update regarding the Autism Spectrum Disorder Individualized Funding program. Beginning in 2018-19, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) under the age of six will be eligible to receive $4,000 in individualized funding. The ASD Individualized Funding (ASD IF) program will provide parents with funding for therapeutic interventions and family supports that best suit their child’s individual needs.
The ASD IF Application Form is now available on www.Saskatchewan.ca/autism. Families who have applied and meet the program eligibility criteria will begin receiving funding in August 2018. Please see the attached list of Eligible Services and FAQs for detailed information about the program.
A Registry of Autism Service Providers is currently being built to assist families with finding service providers in their area. The Registry will be posted on www.Saskatchewan.ca/autism in August 2018.
Please note that if families have questions about eligible services and the service provider registry they can contact the Ministry of Health at 1-800-667-7766 or info@health.gov.sk.ca. For questions about the application and payments they can contact the Ministry of Social Services at 1-833-304-1774 or autismif@govsk.ca
Best regards,
Stefanie Wihlidal
Government of Saskatchewan
Cognitive Disabilities Program Consultant
Ministry of Health
Bus: 306.787.3862
Email: stefanie.wihlidal@health.gov.sk.ca
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may contain information that is privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any privilege that exists is not waived - any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify me immediately by return e-mail or telephone and delete the message. Thank you.

Good morning,

We wanted to provide you with an update regarding the Autism Spectrum Disorder Individualized Funding program. Beginning in 2018-19, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) under the age of six will be eligible to receive $4,000 in individualized funding. The ASD Individualized Funding (ASD IF) program will provide parents with funding for therapeutic interventions and family supports that best suit their child’s individual needs.

The ASD IF Application Form is now available on www.Saskatchewan.ca/autism. Families who have applied and meet the program eligibility criteria will begin receiving funding in August 2018. Please see the attached list of Eligible Services and FAQs for detailed information about the program.

A Registry of Autism Service Providers is currently being built to assist families with finding service providers in their area. The Registry will be posted on www.Saskatchewan.ca/autism in August 2018.

Please note that if families have questions about eligible services and the service provider registry they can contact the Ministry of Health at 1-800-667-7766 or info@health.gov.sk.ca. For questions about the application and payments they can contact the Ministry of Social Services at 1-833-304-1774 or autismif@govsk.ca

Best regards,

Stefanie Wihlidal

Government of Saskatchewan

Cognitive Disabilities Program Consultant

Ministry of Health

Bus: 306.787.3862

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may contain information that is privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any privilege that exists is not waived - any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify me immediately by return e-mail or telephone and delete the message. Thank you.

We wanted to provide you with an update regarding the Autism Spectrum Disorder Individualized Funding program. Beginning in 2018-19, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) under the age of six will be eligible to receive $4,000 in individualized funding. The ASD Individualized Funding (ASD IF) program will provide parents with funding for therapeutic interventions and family supports that best suit their child’s individual needs.

The ASD IF Application Form is now available on www.Saskatchewan.ca/autism. Families who have applied and meet the program eligibility criteria will begin receiving funding in August 2018. Please see the attached list of Eligible Services and FAQs for detailed information about the program.

A Registry of Autism Service Providers is currently being built to assist families with finding service providers in their area. The Registry will be posted on www.Saskatchewan.ca/autism in August 2018.

Please note that if families have questions about eligible services and the service provider registry they can contact the Ministry of Health at 1-800-667-7766 or info@health.gov.sk.ca. For questions about the application and payments they can contact the Ministry of Social Services at 1-833-304-1774 or autismif@govsk.ca

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may contain information that is privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any privilege that exists is not waived - any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify me immediately by return e-mail or telephone and delete the message. Thank you.

7 May 2018
Hello and welcome to our new subscribers. We want to let you know that a "forum" section has been added to the website. We have posted specific questions about your opinions on research ethics (organized into five categories for the five guideposts of person-oriented research ethics described on our "about" page). You can discuss these questions in the forum, or answer them privately via the contact form, email, phone, or whatever method works best for you. We look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your feedback.

- submitted: Wednesday, April 25, 2018 - 18:18

SaskFEAT would like to provide parents/caregivers with an update regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Individualized Funding. As it was reported on April 10th, $4,000 will be available for children with an ASD diagnosis under the age of six in 2018-19. The Ministry of Social Services has experience to administer these types of benefits and will be providing the funding directly to parents and will begin taking applications in July. The benefits will be administered in August; however, payments will retroactive to April 1, 2018.

There was a teleconference with the ASD Individualized Funding Stakeholder Working Group, which includes SaskFEAT, this morning so that The Ministry of Health can provide further details about the program and the parent/caregiver resources that are currently being developed. This is the information that can be shared by SaskFEAT

The $4,000 Individualized Funding will not be ‘income tested.’

There will standards in place to ensure the validity of the Diagnosistic Team/Practioner.

Only evidence based, best practice services and supports will be eligible for the $4000 Individualized Funding.

There will be no added funding for travel expenses incurred to access the evidence based, best practice services and supports.

There will be one lump sum of $4000 to each parent/caregiver, with random audits of receipts for accountability and monitoring.

A Registry of qualified and regulated professionals is being developed, with the target completion date of June 2018.

Please let me know if you need any more information or have any questions. Once further information is released it will be posted on the Facebook Web and Facebook Page.

- submitted: Friday, April 13, 2018 - 14:26

It is because of the thoughtfulness and generosity of a donor, Kathy from SaskFEAT presented a $1000 cheque to the Parent Advocates for Autism Treatment in Saskatchewan’s (PAATS) Autism Family Camp. This will be PAATS’s third year hosting the Autism Family Camp in Cypress Hills. Camp is a great weekend for families to get away and enjoy a weekend in a beautiful setting with facilities and support workers that make camp a fantastic experience for our autism families.

Individualized Funding For Autism Spectrum Disorder

March 15, 2016

http://www.saskparty.com/funding_for_autism_spectrum_disorder

SaskFEAT has been contacted by the SaskParty in regards to today's announcement "Individualized Funding For Autism Spectrum Disorder March 15, 2016" SaskFEAT also received a written response to the two questions from the SaskFEAT Toolkit that were presented to the SaskParty. The SaskParty's written response will be posted tomorrow.

Please apply early, as funding is limited. Deadline for applications is September 1st. 2018.

It is because of the thoughtfulness and generosity of a donor, SaskFEAT will be providing one time funding for the 2018 Calendar Year. Therefore, SaskFEAT will be able to continue support to and for Saskatchewan Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, their families/caregivers and their communities. It is our goal to continue to be a positive resource for Individuals with ASD in Saskatchewan, and persons impacted by Autism in Saskatchewan.

It is with understanding, and shared circumstances that SaskFEAT recognizes that the diagnosis of Autism of one family member significantly affects the entire family, especially the siblings. A child in this type of situation doesn’t receive the same sort of attention they may in a typical family atmosphere, to no fault of the family. It is just the reality of the situation when a family member is diagnosed with autism. They require more attention. This is where SaskFEAT comes in! SaskFEAT is offering respite funding to acknowledge the siblings that have a brother or sister diagnosed with Autism and its’ impact on all family members and assists children from this stress.

Social Services Minister Tina Beaudry-Mellor today announced the future implementation of a self-directed funding (SDF) model for individuals who experience intellectual disabilities to give them greater choice over their life decisions. Self-directed funding allows individuals experiencing intellectual disabilities to choose supports that meet their needs and help them reach their goals.

Currently, funding to clients goes through community-based organizations, but under SDF, goes directly to the individual. This allows individuals and their support team to decide which supports and services they access depending on their own unique needs and aspirations. Minister Beaudry-Mellor joined participants of the SDF Demonstration Project and their families to celebrate the positive impact and successes of this approach.

“The result of the SDF pilot has been remarkable,” Beaudry-Mellor said. “I look forward to working with the disability community to find ways for even more people across the province to experience the success that the project participants have had. SDF aligns with the Saskatchewan Disability Strategy by providing individuals experiencing disabilities with more effective supports and services, as well as a greater sense of dignity in gaining more independence.”

Lynn Schaan, whose son Daniel was a participant in the project, joined Minister Beaudry-Mellor at the announcement, which took place in Daniel’s home. Through SDF, Daniel now lives independently with a roommate (his brother) and has trained support staff visit when needed.

“Self-directed funding allows Danny the freedom and choice to create a unique plan of daily living that puts joy in his life, light in his eyes, hope in his dreams and the safe environment to grow, mature and become the best he can be,” Schaan said. “I am overwhelmed by Danny's growth in the past 10 months. Like every parent, I hoped and dreamed that Danny would have a good life if he had the appropriate supports, and self-directed funding has given Danny that opportunity. I am so grateful.”

The Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL) is a community-based organization that works to ensure that individuals experiencing intellectual disabilities are valued, supported, and included, and have opportunities and choices in all aspects of life. The Ministry of Social Services partnered with SACL to provide facilitation and navigational services to participants and their families during the demonstration project.

“The Saskatchewan Disability Strategy talks about making supports for people with disabilities more person-centred, and self-directed funding is one way to make that happen,” SACL Director of Strategic Initiatives Judy Hannah said. “Self-directed funding allows people with intellectual disabilities to create a plan for their lives. SACL is so pleased to have been a part of the project. It has been incredibly exciting to see the changes in the lives of each of the individuals and families involved.”

SACL produced a video demonstrating the positive impact of SDF that can be viewed athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVB3ee-xqd4&feature=youtu.be.

A self-directed funding option was one of the recommendations put forward by the Valley View Centre Transition Steering Committee in 2013. The Committee recognized that some individuals were unable to access certain supports through the former funding model, and that a funding model with more choices and autonomy would personalize the supports and services available to individuals transitioning from Valley View Centre into communities across Saskatchewan. The self-directed funding model will be implemented province-wide beginning April 1, 2017.

Individuals and families who are interested in this opportunity can talk to their Community Living Service Delivery worker for more information.

Michael J. Lewis

1950 – 2016

Michael will be forever remembered as one of the greatest autism advocates in Canada. He was also a wonderful family and business man.

His journey in autism began when his son was diagnosed 19 years ago. He immediately became involved in the Autism Society of British Columbia (ASBC). Michael served as a Director for ASBC from 2000-2015 and President of their Board for 10 years. Michael, his wife Jean, and a number of other families were active in organizing and directing several legal initiatives in British Columbia including Auton, Anderson and Hewko.

Michael served on Autism Society Canada’s Board of Directors for several years and had held the position of President. Most recently he was very involved with the amalgamation of Autism Society Canada and Autism Canada Foundation. He was elected to the new Board and served as the Chair of the Provincial and Territorial Council and sat on the Finance and Audit Committee.

He was also the Past President of the British Columbia Boys Choir and a past member of the Finance and Audit Committee for the District of West Vancouver. In the fall of 2008 and again in 2011, Michael was elected in the district of West Vancouver as a Councillor. He also served on other non-profit organizations over the years.

Michael will be greatly missed by Autism Canada’s Board, staff and his colleagues on the Provincial and Territorial Council.

** A private family service will be held on Monday August 15, 2016 followed by a public celebration of life from 2:00 to 4:30 pm at the Gleneagles Golf Course Clubhouse (6190 Marine Drive, West Vancouver).

The family has requested no flowers please. For those wishing to give some form of remembrance we suggest considering a contribution to the most firmly held belief, and committed cause, of Michael’s life: “Medicare for Autism Now”. Donations can be made, or information found, at medicareforautismnow.org.